July 2018

THE LIDO by Libby Page is a complete joy of a book; just looking at its cover makes me smile. And I can think of so many friends who I’m sure will enjoy it.

In it, 86-year-old Rosemary Peterson has been swimming at The Lido in her hometown of Brixton since 1937. She’s already watched so much of the town change, and not in a good way, like the day she realized that the local library was closing forever. So when she learns that The Lido will be closing as a new condominium complex is coming into town, and that location will be their state-of-the-art, residents-only gym, she decides there has been enough change in the places she loves.

Kate Matthews is a twentysomething and is new to the town; she is a reporter who is a tad afraid of many things and suffers frequent panic attacks. When she goes to interview Rosemary about The Lido, she is told she must get in the pool and swim before she can hear her story. And she does.

What springs is a friendship across the ages with these two women, and watching their stories twist and intertwine is a complete delight. There is reminiscing and there is hope, and there is lots and lots of love. For those who have enjoyed THE ROSIE PROJECT and A MAN CALLED OVE, this one is for you.

It would make for a great book group discussion, and is a terrific book for those who want to do a book discussion on a beach somewhere with friends.